The authority to punish contempts is a necessary incident inherent in the very organization of all legislative bodies and of all courts of law and equity independent of statutory provisions.109

The legislature cannot abridge the power of the courts to punish summarily all such wrongful acts as obstruct the administration of justice.110 And in a contempt proceeding the accused is not entitled to a trial by jury. The right to punish for contempt without the intervention of a jury is recognized and fully established by the common law.111

Contempts are of two classes, criminal and civil. In the criminal class the object of the proceeding is punishment of the wrong-doer to vindicate and preserve the dignity and respect for the public authority and public interest; in the civil class to afford relief inter partes - for the benefit of a private litigant.112